If you click over and read the article, this fact stands out - over 300,000 students choose to take the Spanish AP exam over Italian. Makes sense. Latin Americans are a significant minority in the US and in many parts of the country, you hear only Spanish spoken - think of Miami, LA, - even Home Depot has their in store signs in English and Spanish. In fact, to work in the public sector in the US, for instance in a customer service position or teaching, Spanish is just as fundamental as it is to be fluent in English to secure a decent job in Europe, Asia or South America.
But..... Here is where I am a bit perplexed. In the article, a prominent well known Italian American daughter of a former New York state governor and president of the Italian Language Foundation, points her finger at the Italian government for not helping to save the Italian AP exam by donating funds to support the effort. Funny, when did it become Italy's responsibility to support American high school students in their pursuit of the Italian language? Aren't there enough prominent Italian Americans who can promote their culture and language? Italian Americans Facts
In Italy, English is a mandatory subject in the state curriculum set by decree by the Ministry of Education and it demands that ALL students from 1st grade to 8th grade MUST dedicate up to 3 hours a week to "Lingue Inglese". In fact, in most European countries you will find a similar structure in the schools and that is why so many Americans, when they travel to Europe, encounter such nice tour guides and hotel staff who speak fluent English - even in France. Furthermore, English has become the default language of international business. Most people outside the US believe learning English is also obligatory and seen as an absolute necessity in educating their young, not as an elective language course to pad the college application form. There is huge industry that has grown around this effort, believe me International Schools are not for American Expats these days. Who could even begin to count all the private small schools scattered all over the world that teach ESL preparing students to take the TOEFL or the Cambridge EOSL Exams. Think of this the next time you see a CNN news broadcast from some war torn blighted third world country and ask yourself this, how is it that the reporter always seems to find someone to tell his tale of woe on camera in near perfect English?
Now... Here is a thought. What if Americans HAD to learn a 2nd language just like they have to learn, say math. And that Spanish was the language of choice. On top of that students could take another foreign language as an elective like they do in most European high schools that prepare and graduate college bound students? Would this be acceptable to the American public? I have my doubts but, isn't learning a language a more constructive way to learn "social" studies and integrate and be part of a global community and economy?
Should I even enter the debate about bilingualism in the US which has become a political hot potato that only truly hurts most students who speak English as a second language rather than help? This long running silly debate with ridiculous pedagogic methods - bilingual courses which only delay the learning of English and hurt students who need to learn it - along with many others political/social issues that prevents constructive debate and the early introduction of a foreign language into many American public schools. Most people and experts agree, the younger you learn anything the better.
I am by no means an expert on education and I know there are some serious flaws in Italian Education system, I have seen them first hand and there are some biggies. BUT - And a huge but at that. Students here in "il bel paese" have a very demanding and diverse curriculum and in the end I bet, and I think I would win this one, Anna knows more about geography in the United States than her contemporaries back home and much more about world history. Though, I am sure kids in the states could teach her a thing or too about social justice and global warming - even who she should vote for when the time comes around.
Just a thought.
What do you think?
Krista
6 comments:
I think you were on some roll! If a second language was mandatory over here..it would be Spanish. However, Americans (more specifically, United States Americans) think the world should bend to us. Certainly, not the other way around. Left over from the British influence I'm sure!
Have a great day!
I think I was...
Not sure if it expectations of others or low expectations of ourselves. Think of it. Since 1st grade the girls studied English, ok, no big deal for them. But, when the entered 6th grade, they also had to take French. Anna is now taking Spanish and Sarah moved on to German in High School. Don't forget, Anna is dyslexic and she manages what is why can't American kids?
I think you are right Krista. The issue is not so much about being accepted outside of the US but more about the kids and a generation learning themselves what goes on outside of their front door.
I'll agree on that. The parents don't want things to be too "hard" in school. It's too bad really..
One correction: In Italian public schools, kids take English from grade one right through to their graduating year (which would be grade 13 by the North American system), not just to grade eight... Plus they take a second EU language for at least three years. And, if they go to a liceo - that is, an academically oriented high school, the equivalent of a grammar school in the old British system - Latin is compulsory as well. Why? Whenever I ask, the answer I get is, "because it's good for you"! None of that worrying about school being "too hard" here!!!
Hi Joanne, Thanks for the update and clarification.
And you know what, Latin is good for you, just like eating your vegetables. It makes you grow big and strong.
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